If you’ve spent any time on film Twitter, scrolled through Letterboxd, or even joined a casual Oscars pool this year, you’ve likely seen “Emilia Pérez” dominating every conversation. This Spanish-language musical crime drama has not only racked up awards but also ignited fierce debates about representation—and thanks to its star’s social media past, it’s become one of the most polarizing films of 2025. Here’s a closer examination of how “Emilia Pérez” transitioned from Cannes sweetheart to cultural lightning rod.
The Premise and the Early Buzz
“Emilia Pérez” came along with a premise almost guaranteed to make headlines: Karla Sofía Gascón plays a Mexican cartel matriarch who orchestrates her demise, gets herself transformed via gender-affirming surgery, and tries to atone for past sins while reuniting with family and seeking new love. Featuring Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz in the cast, the film generated pre-release buzz even before the first frame was screened.
Following its sweep of the jury prize at Cannes and a historic best actress nod for its four leads, the film appeared to be unstoppable. It won four Golden Globes, three Critics’ Choice Awards, two BAFTAs, a SAG Award, and received a record-breaking 13 Oscar nominations—just one shy of the record. Gascón became the first openly trans actor to receive an Oscar nomination, putting the film in line for a sweeping awards season victory.
Representation Controversies: Trans Portrayal, Casting, and Authenticity
But the excitement was swiftly followed by criticism. LGBTQ advocacy organizations, such as GLAAD, objected to the film’s representation of its trans lead, claiming that it drew on stereotypes and would move backwards for trans representation. Others argued that the focus on a trans character as an ex-cartel kingpin played on the tired stereotype of trans individuals as dangerous or unhinged figures.
Not everybody concurred. Trans critic Julie River, in a piece for Out Front Magazine, pointed out that the film is about Emilia as a liar, not a comment on all trans women. Gascón herself weighed in, mentioning that she could only speak from her own life and that every path is different.
The film’s authenticity was also attacked. Even though the film is set in Mexico, it was primarily shot in France, and the crew is predominantly non-Mexican. Director Jacques Audiard, who based the movie on his opera libretto, admitted that he didn’t do a lot of research on Mexico. Adriana Paz and Selena Gomez have Mexican heritage, but Gascón is Spanish, Saldaña is Puerto Rican and Dominican, and Edgar Ramirez is Venezuelan. Mexican audiences and critics alike were dismayed, terming the depiction of narco-culture shallow and at times offensive.
Audiard’s Defense: Opera, Not Documentary
Audiard stood up for the film as being an operatic, stylized tale and not a realistic one. He explained to Deadline that he was being judged too harshly on realism, that the emphasis was thematic and not literal. He conceded that location shooting outside of Mexico was a compromise due to budget, but stressed that opera is about exaggeration and bold stylization.
The Social Media Controversy
Just as Oscar buzz intensified, the discussion suddenly veered in a different direction. Canadian journalist Sarah Hagi discovered archived tweets from Gascón’s deactivated X account with Islamophobic, racist, and profane statements, including posts about George Floyd and the Oscars. The reaction was swift and intense. Gascón released a public apology, stating that she had needed validation as she was undergoing her transition and feeling profound regret for what she had said. She insisted that her work should be judged in isolation from her background, contending that she had not committed a crime.
Industry Reactions and Fallout
The scandal rocked the “Emilia Pérez” crew. Audiard decried the tweets as “inexcusable” and conceded their previously intimate relationship had strained. Zoe Saldaña labeled the situation “sad” and stressed personal responsibility, with Selena Gomez admitting that some of the movie’s magic had been eclipsed, though she was still proud to have been a part of it.
Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria called the distraction “a bummer for a hundred very talented people,” but made sure the company would have otherwise supported the film. Gascón missed prominent award ceremonies such as the Critics’ Choice, BAFTAs, and SAG Awards but appeared at the César Awards in France and was set to show up at the Oscars.
The Oscars Race and the LegacyDespite the controversy, “Emilia Pérez” remained a contender for the Oscars, especially in Best International Feature and Best Supporting Actress. Saldaña was perceived as a frontrunner across the board, and the original songs from the film were also in contention.
In the end, the controversy surrounding Gascón’s history and the film’s representation has left a lasting legacy. “Emilia Pérez” is not only recalled for its accolades or performances but for the discourse it fostered. Whether perceived as a provocative work of art, a mistake in representation, or merely the most discussed film of the year, one thing remains true: “Emilia Pérez” is a film no one will soon forget.